“I saw that there were rumours in Sepang that I might retire and there was a lot of distance between me and where the action was as I was at home!” he said. “I had to respond immediately to cancel this information.”

Returning to the track this weekend for the first time since the crash, Pedrosa admits he is not feeling too strong ahead of tomorrow’s opening practice.

“It is already feeling a lot better,” he explained. “The first two weeks were the hardest because of the collarbone and my legs. I wasn’t able to move my right or left foot. To have three injuries from one crash was quite a lot! I’m happy to be here and will try tomorrow to see how the feeling is, I’m not feeling super strong at this time but I hope I can ride.